As we enter the final months of the year, your to-do list is certainly full of holiday festivities and favorite traditions. Be sure to take the time now, in the midst of the hustle and bustle, to complete a few tasks that will ensure the health, safety, and peace of mind for your aging loved one in the season to come.
Here is a list of chores that are good to take care of at least a few times per year. Use this list to make your schedule over the next few months or, better yet, use it as a list to help you delegate to other family members, friends, and helpful neighbors so that you can spread the work around.
Take Care of the Home
As the winter season approaches, you want to ensure your loved one’s home is ready for the changes that are sure to come. This is especially crucial if your loved one lives somewhere that includes a winter forecast of snow, ice, and plunging temperatures. If your loved one lives in a warmer climate, these are still good tasks to review and apply as necessary.
- Clean up the yard and get ready for winter
This includes closing down the garden, moving any potted plants indoors (or discarding the plants for something new next year, covering up patio furniture, raking leaves, etc. If you are unable to help with these tasks, you can enlist the services of a landscaping agency or a helpful neighborhood teen who is looking to make some extra cash.
- Prepare for snow and ice removal.
Get a contract with a landscaping service or a helpful neighbor and understand when they come out after a snowfall so that your loved one can be informed.
- Put a container of ice melt (and a scooper) in a convenient area of your loved one’s garage or near the front door.
Make it as easy and as safe to use as possible so they can throw out a few scoops onto their driveway or stoop to keep themselves and delivery drivers safe.
- Change the batteries in your loved one’s smoke detector and carbon monoxide detector. If they do not have these detectors in their home, buy and install them.
- Replace any nightlights in the home.
Add new nightlights if needed. Change any lightbulbs and don’t forget the ones outside and in the garage!
- Replace any rug tape or skid-proof mats.
It’s common for rug tape or mats to become frayed or less effective. Don’t wait for an accident, and instead replace them now.
- Make sure there is plenty of room for your loved one to safely get in and out of the home from the front door or garage door.
This includes clearing out a spot for them to put their wet, snowy boots, winter coat, and other items.
- Switch out items in your loved one’s closet for seasonally appropriate clothing.
This is especially helpful if your loved one has cognitive decline or anxiety. Swap out summer and spring clothing for fall and winter items. Switch out shoes as well.
- Have an emergency stash of shelf-stable food in case winter weather makes it difficult for your loved one to get groceries.
Keep it in a special bin somewhere easy to reach in a closet or pantry. Include canned foods and soups, as well as pasta, pasta sauce, dried or canned fruit, etc.
Take Care of Medical Tasks
Here are some tasks that will support your loved one’s health and wellness goals over the next season.
- Throw out any expired medications.
Go through all the prescribed and over-the-counter medications in the home, reviewing each one for the expiration date. Work with your local senior services organization to ensure you are disposing of the medications safely.
- Schedule upcoming appointments for the next 3 months.
These appointments can be check-ups, follow-ups, and ongoing visits. Get them scheduled now, and if possible, schedule them first thing in the morning before the cold and flu patients arrive.
- Put hand sanitizer in convenient places in the home, including your loved one’s car and purse.
Keep one at the front door as well. Replace all hand soap to ensure there is plenty to go around.
- Schedule all medical and social transportation for the next few months.
It is easier if you can schedule it all at once and get it on your calendar. This includes using free services, ride sharing, and transportation from friends or family.
- Get your loved one’s flu shots and other recommended vaccines, if you haven’t already.
- Make a “sick bin” to keep in the closet or kitchen cabinet. Include medicines that your loved one might need if they are ill so that they don’t have to go out to get it (or send a friend to do so). Include over-the-counter medications, a humidifier, etc.
- Send out a shared calendar to family members and friends.
Invite people to sign up for a day or two a month to commit to calling your loved one. They can also sign up to send a card or letter once a month. This will ensure your loved one has someone checking in on them and chatting with them regularly throughout the winter season, which can be an isolating one.
- Double check the status of your loved one’s medical alert device.
Review the charging station and charging protocol with your loved one as well as the importance of wearing the device. Talk about how to use it, especially if they haven’t had to use it before.
Take Care of Yourself
In between caring for your loved one and everyone else around you, it’s imperative that you take time to intentionally care for yourself as well. While you’re scheduling appointments and renewing snow removal contracts, take a few extra moments to take care of these tasks that will help you steer clear of caregiver burnout.
- Schedule a few hours each week when you do something only for yourself.
This could be going shopping for a new book, taking a yoga class, or watching your favorite Bravo show from the couch. Schedule it in ink.
- If you are headed out of town for a vacation or for work travel, ease your mind by scheduling respite care for your loved one.
You can use a local home care agency for this service, which can be easier than cobbling together friends and family helpers.
- Schedule your preventative healthcare appointments, including vaccines and check-ups.
Remember, not all of these tasks need to be completed this week! Instead, make a plan to get them done in a way that is convenient for you, and that includes asking others for help. Here’s to a safe and healthy winter for all of us!
